Leaving a Positive Legacy: Retirement and Service Awards 2024

June 13, 2024

With the 2023-2024 school year nearing its end, the Langley School District took the opportunity to celebrate and honour dozens of long-term staff at its annual Retirement and Service Awards.

Staff from all across the District – teachers, administrators and support staff alike – were honoured for 20 and 30 years of service, while retiring employees were also recognized and thanked for their years of hard work and dedication.

Over the course of the evening, which was hosted at Newlands Golf and Country Club, stories were told about many employees in attendance, with each one – whether it drew laughs or sometimes even tears – displaying the core values that the District values: integrity, excellence, courage and community.

The District would like to share some of those stories below.

Phillis Giovani, described as a ‘cherished leader’ in the District, began her career in education as a teacher at Douglas Park Community School in 1988, dedicating herself to her Grade 7 students for 14 years before moving to Willoughby Elementary School in 2002. In 2007 she worked as a vice-principal at Langley Meadows Community School before her first principal job, at Fort Langley Elementary. In 2015 she began another principalship at Willoughby Elementary before moving on to be the first-ever principal at Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary when it opened. As she embarks on retirement, she looks forward to new hobbies, travelling and caring for her mom.

Karen Ferguson, who attended Willoughby Elementary and R.E. Mountain Secondary as a student, came to the Langley School District in 1989 after accepting a job to teach math at R.E. Mountain, and for 35 years she never left, eventually serving as the math department head for many years. If there was a math course at the school, Karen has taught it! An excellent baker, she was known for bringing cakes to school, and for a time also had a class rabbit that her students knew and loved. In retirement, she plans to travel and spend time with her family.

Scott Gordon’s teaching career began at Nicomekl Elementary in 1990, but in 1995 he moved to Walnut Grove Secondary, where he’s taught art classes ever since, from junior art to senior drawing and painting classes. An inspiration to his colleagues, he took on leadership roles through the years as president of the Langley Art Teachers Association, while also offering professional learning opportunities for his colleagues. Always one to find ways to encourage his students, he was instrumental in creating a gallery space in the halls of WGSS – just one of the legacies he leaves behind at the school. In retirement, he plans to continue his own artistic endeavours while also offering art classes for adults.

A former student in the Langley School District, Debbie began her career in the District in 1991 as a noon-hour and crosswalk supervisor before working as the night dispatcher in Human Resources. After a few other jobs in the District, she returned to Human Resources, where she worked the rest of her career. Known for her kindness, she never hesitated to step in and help in any situation, and did so with a warm smile and a big heart. Since retiring, she’s spent time with her family, and has kept her District colleague up-to-date on her adventures and tales of her mischevious cats.

Julie began her career as a library technician in 2001 at James Hill Elementary, and through the years has also spent time working at Douglas Park, Dorothy Peacock, James Kennedy, RC Garnett, Glenwood elementary schools, and most recently, at both Lynn Fripps Elementary and Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary. No matter where she’s been, her passion for books, love of children and dedication to education has shaped every school she has been in.

Duane joined the IT department in 2006 and has spent more than 17 years as a business system technician, where he’s been responsible for repairing and maintaining countless iPads, PCs and MacBooks. Known throughout his department as being kind, helpful and young and heart, his efforts through the years have ensured that countless staff and students have had the equipment required to teach and learn. He’s also known within his department as someone who grills a great burger at staff barbecues. In retirement, he plans to travel with his wife and spend time with his grandchildren.

For more photos from the event, see below: